Introduction
Energy efficient street lighting
Local Partnerships is supporting local authorities to deliver LED street lighting initiatives – successful schemes could deliver up to 80 per cent energy savings and significant cuts to utility bills.
Recent technological advances and the falling costs of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting (around 30 per cent a year) means that the case for switching to energy efficient lighting has never been stronger. The much lower energy usage of LED lighting can dramatically reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions as well as other benefits such as enhance public safety, minimise light pollution and making public spaces friendlier at night.
Conclusion
Outcomes of Energy efficient street lighting
- Approval by Manchester City Council for the business case to install an authority wide centrally controlled (CMS) LED street lighting system, which will deliver around £750 thousand annual savings once fully operational
- Renegotiation of the street lighting contract at North Tyneside Council to incorporate energy efficient lighting has delivered annual operational cost savings of £265 thousand to date. Retrofitting with LED lighting in the next phase will increase the savings as the programme becomes fully implemented.
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The toolkit also highlights opportunities to embed climate resilience into existing organisational processes and decision-making, rather than treating adaptation as a standalone activity. This includes considering resilience measures through procurement and contract management, budget and capital planning, policy and strategy reviews, asset management, service transformation programmes and wider operational planning.
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How can councils help shape the energy infrastructure needed to support housing, regeneration and local growth?
Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESP), led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), introduce a new regional layer of energy planning across England, Scotland and Wales. They will help shape where and when energy infrastructure investment takes place, with significant implications for local growth and decarbonisation ambitions.
With NESO inviting participation in RESP Strategic Boards and Working Groups, this guide helps local and combined authorities consider what they need to put in place to take an effective role in regional energy planning.
Drawing on interviews with local authorities, it sets out practical approaches to:
- establishing clear governance, responsibilities and decision-making
- coordinating priorities and representation across a region
- using local evidence to influence infrastructure planning
- building capacity and sharing expertise
- aligning energy investment with local growth and decarbonisation priorities.
An accompanying executive summary provides a concise overview for senior leaders and elected members, explaining why RESP matters, the risks of limited engagement and the organisational arrangements needed to respond effectively.
The guide was funded by West Midlands Combined Authority and draws on learning from the Planning Regional Infrastructure in a Digital Environment (PRIDE) project.
UPDATED – 21 September 2026 – Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has been developed by Local Partnerships in collaboration with the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide councils with a straightforward and consistent approach for calculating their carbon baseline and annual emissions reporting.
For assistance and feedback, please email ghgaccounting@localpartnerships.gov.uk
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